Travel Tuesday

Ready for Thanksgiving? Whether you're planning a trip or preparing to welcome guests, we have the weather and travel information you need to know -- including the best times to hit the road.

Note that if you were planning to take the Capital Beltway around midday Wednesday, you should make other plans. Traffic is backed up for nearly 10 miles after a crash on the Beltway's outer loop on one of the region's busiest travel days.

What Will the Weather Be Like for Your Trip?

A winter storm in Minnesota is speeding toward the D.C. area and expected to arrive sometime late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. Storm Team4's Tom Kierein said temperatures should be in the low to mid-50s, so there shouldn't be any ice coming in from the north.

Thanksgiving Day looking cloudy in the morning with a small chance of a few sprinkles then some sunshine may break out during the afternoon, highs in the low to mid 50s.

HOV restrictions on I-66 and I-395 in Virginia will be lifted Thursday, and will resume Friday.

Transportation officials in both states are lifting construction-related lane closures throughout the Thanksgiving holiday to help drivers travel more easily.

How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

With temperatures dropping, it's important to protect your car from the deep freeze. News4's Melissa Mollet shows you how to prep for the WORST winter weather.

(Published Monday, Nov. 21, 2016)

7 More Travel Tips:

1. Still don't have an E-ZPass? Get one. You'll save a signicant amount of time. Although it's too late to order one online if you want it before traveling for Thanksgiving, the transponders are available at a few retail locations. Visit EZPassMD.com or EZPassVA.com to see where you can get one in person.

2. Do have an E-ZPass? Make sure your info's up to date. Go to your state's E-Zpass site to verify that your credit card, license plate number and contact information are all current.

3. Don't have roadside assistance? Get it. Make a quick call to sign up for it through your car insurance company, or go online to register with AAA. You'll have help if the unexpected happens, both to keep you safe and to save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

4. Make sure your car is ready for the trip. Consumer Reports has a quick checklist you can run through, including making sure all your lights are working, your washer fluid's filled and your tire pressure is good. See the full list here.

5. Don't text and drive... or look at directions and drive... or flip through your playlist and drive. In Maryland, it's illegal to text or otherwise handheld cellphones while driving. Texting while driving is illegal in Virginia. Designate your front-seat passenger to be in change of your phone, the playlist and the directions.

6. Take a safety break. You might be tempted to make as few stops as possible, but don't drive for so long that you become a danger to yourself or others. A break at a rest stop will refresh you or let you exchange driving duties with a travel buddy.

7. But plan ahead to avoid unnecessary stops. If you have small kids, you're probably used to packing water and snacks. But even if your car's adults-only this Thanksgiving, it's always a good idea to bring along the basics. You'll also save money and probably end up with healthier options than what you'd get at a rest stop.